BLACKBOX OR NOT - MIDI HELP / MIDI CABLES / MIDI EDUCATION - ready to cry.

[mcpu40]

This is my setup and problem...hoping someone can offer some insight here, as I'm ready to cry.

Until now, I've thought the MIDI OUT on the Waldorf Streichfett (shown here) simply didn't work as I've never been able to get it to pass the MIDI signal along to the next machine.

So, I've always just had it at the end of the MIDI chain...

Now I've added a brand new unopened Jomox MBase 11, just got it yesterday, and it too will not pass a MIDI signal on to the next machine.

I know there are different style cables (MIDI A and MIDI B) - not sure which I have - or how to tell the difference to be honest.

Either setup shown here (both with Blackbox incorporated + without) will play the JUNO 06A and will pass that MIDI signal along to the MICROFREAK or vice versa without issue.

It will also continue that MIDI signal onward to the either the Jomox MBase 11 or the Waldorf Streichfett without issue, but NOT BEYOND ☹

I can get the Novation Launchkey shown here to simply play the Jomox, but not beyond...same with the Waldorf.

Could it be a cable issue??

All these MIDI cables and adapters I have seem to work fine with the Juno, and with the Microfreak

They also work "INTO" either the Jomox or Waldorf, but not "OUT" of either of those two machines and to something else.

I want to use all this set up in the worst way!!

The MIDI OUT on this brand new Jomox can't be broken coincidentally along with the Waldorf...can it???

Any insight anyone can offer would be beyond appreciated - thank you for reading this - please help me if able!

[mcpu40]

UPDATE -- SUCCESS and also some notes that may help someone as I've FINALLY received the MIDI SOLUTIONS QUADRA THRU and got this setup.

My BLACKBOX (running 3.0.9) will NOT power this QUADRA THRU directly via MIDI (no blue light comes on the quadra thru).

This is the case whether the BLACKBOX is plugged in to a USB charge OR to a wall using the 1010music supplied power supply setup.

HOWEVER!

Going MIDI OUT from the BLACKBOX to MIDI IN on my JUNO-06A and then to the QUADRA THRU powers it.

I do not know why but I have experienced SUCCESS finally -

Once again - THANK YOU to the 1010 community here as this forum gives me such confidence to continue -

[PetGerbil]

I think the problem is that the Jomox etc don't do Midi "Thru". Only Midi "Out".
The difference being Midi thru will pass Midi it gets at the input through to another device, whereas If it's only Midi out, It will only send Midi generated by itself (patch change info etc.)

Depending on what you're doing, you may be able to get round this by putting the thing with only midi out before something with Midi thru(blackbox) onto the next thing...

Failing that, you could get an external Midi thru box that will split the signal to go to other devices.

Something like this...https://www.thomann.de/gb/midi_solutions_thru_v2.htm

[mcpu40]

THANK YOU! I believe you are correct and actually just bought the same device you are suggesting above...except the one I got has FOUR outputs. I'm very hopeful it'll solve this problem and really appreciate your insight -

[robin0112358]

I know there are different style cables (MIDI A and MIDI B) - not sure which I have - or how to tell the difference to be honest.

Back in 2017 I wrote an explanatory article that gathers together all the information on MIDI wiring. Even then I wrote:

"It's frustrating that a company like 1010 Music would use the wrong wiring, despite releasing devices after the standard was published."

The best approach would be for all devices that use TRS MIDI to have a firmware switch to select between the standard and the non-standard. But this also requires that the circuits be designed with this in mind. So it's hardware problem that cannot simply be fixed in firmware. Elektron did this with the Model: Cycles.

At least we should have a colour-coding standard for the adapter cables. I can never tell what I have in my bag.

[mcpu40]

thank you for this! i've been frustrated with things over the years to be sure, but never with 1010 or this community here...both are priceless

[mcpu40]

APPRECIATE the insight!!!
- will advise if (and hopefully when) the MIDI SOLUTIONS QUADRA THRU that I just bought solves this problem.
-- hate waiting for shipping but it is what it is, thanks all!

[mcpu40]

UPDATE -- SUCCESS and also some notes that may help someone as I've FINALLY received the MIDI SOLUTIONS QUADRA THRU and got this setup.

My BLACKBOX (running 3.0.9) will NOT power this QUADRA THRU directly via MIDI (no blue light comes on the quadra thru).

This is the case whether the BLACKBOX is plugged in to a USB charge OR to a wall using the 1010music supplied power supply setup.

HOWEVER!

Going MIDI OUT from the BLACKBOX to MIDI IN on my JUNO-06A and then to the QUADRA THRU powers it.

I do not know why but I have experienced SUCCESS finally -

Once again - THANK YOU to the 1010 community here as this forum gives me such confidence to continue -